For several months I’ve been going to a mental health counselor that uses a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy approach, and as part of that I have been going to a weekly Skills Group which is kind of like a class where they teach various mindfulness techniques and the other skills that are part of the DBT approach. Usually it’s on Wednesdays but since tomorrow is the Christmas holiday this week’s was rescheduled for today. Since it was Christmas Eve a few of planned to bring treats to share and last night I made some “Wise Mind” gingerbread to bring. Wise Mind is the DBT term for when you’re synthesizing “Reasonable Mind” and “Emotion Mind” into a more balanced state of mind, where you’re neither suppressing your emotions or letting them control you. It’s frequently shown as a Venn diagram with Wise Mind in the area where Reasonable Mind and Emotion Mind overlap. I made the overlapping circle shape with a glass and then cut the letters in, using a butter knife for the straight lines and a partially cut drinking straw for the rounded parts.
Today I had my appointment with my individual therapist first, so I walked there by first going through the Delta Ponds area, along the riverbank path south, then crossing the river to Alton Baker Park. It was getting light out around then, so I took a photo of the Ferry Street Bridge from the bike bridge I was using to cross the river.
I killed some time in the park playing Pokémon Go until it was time to head over for my 8am appointment. After that I went back to the park for a little bit, and then went to the Skills Group session where I put out my gingerbread cookies for people to enjoy. They seemed to be appreciated. Afterwards I walked home, with a side trip to the store to pick up a few things I’ll need for Christmas dinner.
Merry Christmas!
